Every year in late December or early January, IRS refund schedule is published the following year. This schedule is important because it helps taxpayers understand when they can expect their tax refund to arrive. The average time it takes to receive an income tax refund depends on how you filed your return and if you chose a direct deposit or paper check as your delivery method. If you e-filed your return, it will typically take two weeks to receive the money via direct deposit; paper returns can take up to three weeks to be processed.
You can track your refund through the Where’s My Refund tool, which is available online and on the IRS2Go mobile app. In addition to using this tool, you can also call the IRS to inquire about your refund status. The representative will ask for your Social Security number and the refund amount to determine whether or not you have a refund. The IRS will then notify you when your return is approved and will then send the money directly to your bank account if you choose to have your refund deposited via direct deposit. If you choose to mail your tax return, it will typically take about 3-4 weeks (21 days) to be received and entered into the IRS system.
| If IRS accepts your return | Your refund should be deposited by this date | Your refund is mailed by this date |
|---|---|---|
| January 27 | February 7 | February 14 |
| February 3 | February 14 | February 21 |
| February 10 | February 21 | February 28 |
| February 18 | February 28 | March 6 |
| February 24 | March 6 | March 13 |
| March 2 | March 13 | March 20 |
| March 9 | March 20 | March 27 |
| March 16 | March 27 | April 3 |
| March 23 | April 3 | April 10 |
| March 30 | April 10 | April 17 |
| April 6 | April 17 | April 24 |
| April 13 | April 24 | May 1 |
| April 20 | May 1 | May 8 |
Why is My Refund Delayed?
The IRS typically starts accepting tax returns on January 23, and the refunds are usually issued within a few weeks of that date. Some tax returns, especially those that include the Earned Income Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit, can take a few extra weeks to process. For those who filed on time, you should be able to receive your refund by mid-February if you choose to receive it in the form of direct deposit. You can check on your direct deposit status online using the MyRefunds page on the IRS website.
You can also call the IRS directly for more information about your refund, which is helpful if you’re concerned that it may be delayed because of certain factors. One of the most common reasons for delays is when the IRS is unable to issue the refund for reasons such as identity theft or fraud. Another reason for delays is when the federal government has “offset” your refund to pay off other debts you owe. This can occur if the IRS suspects that you are a victim of identity theft or fraud or if you have other taxes you are owed from other agencies.
In these cases, you’ll be sent a message that says something like, “Tax Topic 151.” This means that the IRS has offset some of your tax refunds in order to cover debts you have with other agencies. If you’re having issues getting your tax refund, you can always request an extension. But remember that an extension only gives you more time to file your tax return and does not give you more time to pay what you owe.